Kwanjula

On Saturday we got to attend/participate in a very special Ugandan tradition. Our friends Rachel and Livington are getting married and so they had a Kwanjula (also called an introduction) which is a huge event for a man and women getting married. Basically this is a "party" when the groom comes to meet the wife's family and gives the wife's family the dowry. There are several traditional aspects to this event. Even though the families know the two that are getting married they pretend not to know who the exact individuals are. There are representatives from each family on microphones negotiating the union. One thing that happens is that Rachel's side will send several groups of women out and with each group the representative from Rachel's side will ask Livington's representative if the bride is in this group. After several groups are presented finally the bride comes out with the last group. There are a few other things that go one during this time but this takes a few hours. 

They day was pretty crazy for us. We were told that we had to meet and gather as the groom's family at 11 in the morning. Knowing that we were not really going to meet at 11, cause this is Uganda, Kyle and Trey went to see how close they were to leaving at 11:30. By 12:45 they were finally all gathered and Obie and I were waiting at home with Erin and Zion to join the rest of the group. We were able to find the smallest Ugandan shirt for Obadiah to wear. 

I am sorry we did not get a better picture of all of us but with not knowing when we were actually needing to leave and Kyle being ready at a different time than we were this is the best we got. 

I am wearing a gomesi (go-messy) and Kyle is wearing a kanzu (con-zoo). Almost everyone who attends wears these outfits. The belt I am wearing is nearly 5 pounds. All day I was checking to make sure my shoulder points were perky and Kyle's dress was hanging just right. 

It was so fun to see so many of our friends dressed up, Erin and I are with our friend Milly. 

A few times men from Livington's side had to give presents to some of the women that went forward from Rache's side. Both Kyle and Trey had to go forward and everyone enjoyed seeing the bazungu (plural for mzungu which is "white person") involved un the Kwanjula.

Because we were gone most of the day we did not lug our "big cameras" around. Erin took her "point and shoot" and all of these photos are from her. 

Erin and I did not stay for the entire thing, we left at about 5:45. Kyle and Trey did not get home until nine that night. Kyle helped present the dowry to Rachel's family and was tasked with carrying the chickens. 

Traditionally, this would be the "wedding" but with the influence of Christianity and western culture the kwanjula, for many, is just one step in the marriage process. Rachel and Livington will have a church wedding in December and then they will be officially married. 

Obadiah did very good for being out all day, passed around a bit and then having to sit on our laps for several hours. Erin and I were glad to be heading home a little early but as we were going down the road Obadiah got tired of sitting in his car seat and started crying, waking up Zion who was none to happy about it. As Erin drove us home I tried to get Zion back to sleep (cause he did not nap all day) and Obie entertained, needless to say I failed miserably. 

All in all we were honored to be a part of this wonderful day and see such strong traditions of those who have become such close friends. If anyone wants to barrow my gomesi please let me know!